New courses set to help lone parents get new skills

Lone parents can learn a range of skills, including food hygiene, first aid and interview skills, on free child-friendly courses set up in Aylesbury and Chesham over the coming months.

These ‘Future Steps’ courses have been created for single parents claiming income support and who have a child under the age of five years.

The weekly sessions, co-ordinated by Buckinghamshire County Council in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus and Connexions, will also offer free childcare and travel. The childcare element is provided at a Children’s Centre, where parents can learn in a separate room to where their child or children are being cared for.

The next course begins on Friday 18 November at Berryfield/Quarrendon Children’s Centre in Aylesbury from 10am until 3pm. It will continue every Friday at the same time for a further eight weeks with a break over Christmas. This course is for lone parents under the age of 25. Another course begins on Monday 21 November at Waterside Children’s Centre, Chesham, from 10am to 3pm and continues every Monday for eight weeks with a break over Christmas. This course is for lone parents aged 25 years or over.

“This is part of our Council’s Wellbeing programme, to build the confidence of lone parents and is aimed at helping to get people into work or training. We do hope as many lone parents as possible take up this opportunity,” said Martin Phillips, County Council Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health. “We have tried to make this as easy as possible for parents by offering them free childcare while they are learning, so there should be nothing to stop them enrolling.”

To apply for a place on the courses, or for more advice, speak to your adviser at Jobcentre Plus or ring Jo (Connexions) on 07921 491690